SummaryAccording to legend, when Parashuram set out to exterminate the Kshatriya, two brothers took shelter behind the image of the goddess Devi. The goddess advised the first one to stitch clothes and the second one to print and dye these stitched clothes to escape from Parashuram. Hence, the descendants of the second person are called Chhipa (Chippi is derived from the Hindi word chhapna, meaning printing). Though the traditional occupation of the Chippa is dyeing and printing cloth, many are now cloth merchants. The main marriage symbols for women are vermilion and toe-rings (bichua). Dowry is given in cash and kind. Remarriage (natra) is allowed for widows, widowers and divorcees. Their literacy rate is low, and only a few have received education up to the high school level.

Ministry ObstaclesThis community speaks more than 20 languages, and each language sub-group may well need a separate outreach and church planting project.

Outreach IdeasThere are many resources available in most of the languages spoken by the Chhipa, but workers are needed to carry these resources to the people.

Pray for the followers of ChristThere are no known Christian believers among this community at present, but pray for those who will soon commit themselves to following Christ. Pray they will live holy lives, and be united around truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Pray for the entire people groupPray for improved employment opportunities, and for good schools to be made available for the children of this Hindu community.

Scripture Focus"Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see." Matthew 22:9